2026-27 Draft Faculty Ballot

This draft ballot includes the current list of candidates, membership needs, and continuing members for the upcoming faculty standing committee elections.

Nominations will be taken from the floor at the Faculty Senate meeting on Thursday, March 17 at 2:30 PM in Curtin 175. Faculty who wish to be nominated should contact a Faculty Senator prior to the meeting.

Nominations may also be submitted with the support of three faculty sponsors. Please email the name of the nominee and the names of the three sponsors to secofunv@uwm.edu.

If you have questions or notice corrections needed on the ballot, please email secofunv@uwm.edu.

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Academic Planning & Budget Committee (APBC)

The Academic Planning and Budget Committee (APBC) advises the Faculty and UWM Administration on academic planning and related budget implications. It reviews University and college plans, consults on budget models, evaluates new program proposals, and represents faculty interests in planning and policy decisions.

Current Candidates

• Steven Michael, PROF, BUSI, SS
• Kristin Sziarto, ASSOC, GEOG, SS

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Academic Policy Committee

The Academic Policy Committee (APC) studies and makes recommendations to the Administration, the University Faculty or the Faculty Senate, or other appropriate faculty committees concerning academic policy.

Current Candidates

• Ai Bo, PROF, PHIL, AH
• John Boyland, PROF, EECS, NS
• Woo Jin Chang, ASSOC, MECH, PR
• Qingsu Cheng, ASST, BIOMED ENGR, NS
• Lindsay McHenry, PROF, GEOS, NS
• Simonetta Milli Konewko, PROF, WLC, AH
• Rebecca Neumann, PROF, ECON, SS
• Hyejin Yoon, ASSOC, GEOG, SS

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Academic Program and Curriculum Committee (APCC)

The Academic Program and Curriculum Committee (APCC) reviews recommendations concerning requirements and changes in requirements for admission to, continuation in, and graduation from undergraduate programs offered in the UWM schools, colleges, and divisions.

Current Candidates

Arts & Humanities

• Simonetta Milli Konewko, PROF, WLC, AH
• Michael Newman, PROF, ENGL, AH

Natural Sciences

• Roshan D’Souza, ASSOC, MECH, NS
• Erica Young, PROF, BIOL, NS

Professions

• Ben Church, ASSOC, MATE, PR

Social Sciences

• Aki Roberts, PROF, SOCI, SS
• Hyejin Yoon, ASSOC, GEOG, SS

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Subcommittee on General Education Reviews (GER)

The Subcommittee on General Education Reviews (GER) supplies membership for review teams and conducts cyclical reviews of areas of inquiry, as well as OWC and QL courses. It presents findings and recommendations to the APCC and submits annual and special reports as needed.

Current Candidates

• Ben Church, ASSOC, MATE, PR
• Donald Force, ASSOC, INFO, PR
• Lawrence Kuiper, ASSOC, WLC, AH
• Aki Roberts, PROF, SOCI, SS
• Nathan Salowitz, ASSOC, MECH, NS
• Zhen Zeng, ASST, COMP SCI, PR

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Subcommittee on Undergraduate Program Reviews (UPR)

The Subcommittee on Undergraduate Program Reviews (UPR) appoints members to program review teams, reviews their findings and recommendations, and advises the APCC on the frequency and scope of undergraduate program reviews.

Current Candidates

• Sonia Bardy, ASSOC, BIOL, NS
• Gilberto Blasini Caceres, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Woo Jin Chang, ASSOC, MECH, PR
• Ben Church, ASSOC, MATE, PR
• Bhagwant Sindhu, ASSOC, RST, PR
• Zhen Zeng, ASST, COMP SCI, PR

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Admissions and Records Policy Committee (ARPC)

The Admissions and Records Policy Committee (ARPC) reviews and recommends policies related to student admissions, registration, and records. It liaises with relevant committees, approves freshman admission guidelines annually, and reviews proposed admissions language and student success profiles.

Current Candidates

• Anja Blecking, ASSOC, CHEM, PR
• Christine Evans, ASSOC, HIST, AH
• Donald Force, ASSOC, INFO, PR
• Alyssa Sheeran, ASST, CRIM, PR
• Bhagwant Sindhu, ASSOC, RST, PR
• Tian Zhao, ASSOC, EECS, NS

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Athletic Board

The Athletic Board develops and reviews university policies relative to intercollegiate athletics, in conjunction with UWM faculty, administration, students, alumni, and controlling regulations, and oversees the implementation of such policies. Approves for recommendation to the Chancellor the budget for the athletic program.

Current Candidates

• Daniel Burkholder, ASSOC, DANC, AH
• Michael Mirer, ASST, COMM, SS
• William Musinski, ASST, MECH, NS
• Rebecca Shumway, ASSOC, HIST, AH

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Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC)

The Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC) selects recipients for outstanding teacher recognition awards from candidates nominated by students, faculty, or departments.

Current Candidates

• Susana Antunes, ASSOC, SPAN, AH
• Michael Laiosa, ASSOC, PUBHLTH, NS
• Shama Mirza, PROF, CHEM, NS
• Jacqueline Nguyen, ASSOC, EDUPSY, PR
• Arjun Saha, ASST, CHEM, NS
• Yin Wang, ASSOC, CIVI, PR

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Codification Committee

The Codification Committee reviews and recommends changes to faculty policies and procedures for clarity, consistency, and alignment. It conducts ongoing policy review, consults with relevant committees, and advises on updates to UWM Policies and Procedures.

Current Candidates

• Nicholas Fleisher, ASSOC, LING, AH
• Sabine Heuer, ASSOC, COMSDIS, PR

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Dismissal/Discipline Hearing Committee (DDHC)

The Dismissal/Discipline Hearing Committee (DDHC) conducts faculty dismissal/discipline hearings in compliance with fair hearing practices.

Current Candidates

• Ryoichi Amano, PROF, MECH, NS
• John Boyland, PROF, EECS, NS
• Cary Costello, ASSOC, SOCI, SS
• Zachary Durlam, ASSOC, MUSI, AH
• Nicholas Fleisher, ASSOC, LING, AH
• Amy Olen, ASSOC, TRNSLTN, AH
• Deyang Qu, PROF, MECH, NS
• Gillian Rodger, PROF, MUSI, AH

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Division of Arts & Humanities Executive Committee

Divisional Executive Committees review tenure and promotion cases and other faculty personnel matters within their respective divisions.

Current Candidates

• Miren Boehm, PROF, PHIL, AH
• Robin Mello, PROF, THEA, AH
• Simonetta Milli Konewko, PROF, WLC, AH
• Hamid Ouali, PROF, LING, AH
• Gillian Rodger, PROF, MUSI, AH
• Sara VanderHaagen, ASSOC, COMM, AH
• Demetrius Williams, PROF, WLC, AH

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Division of Natural Sciences Executive Committee

Divisional Executive Committees review tenure and promotion cases and other faculty personnel matters within their respective divisions.

Current Candidates

• Alexander Arnold, PROF, CHEM, NS
• Alison Donnelly, PROF, GEOG, NS
• Victoria McCoy, ASSOC, GEOS, NS
• Junjie Niu, PROF, MATE, NS

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Division of Professions Executive Committee

Divisional Executive Committees review tenure and promotion cases and other faculty personnel matters within their respective divisions.

Current Candidates

• Woo Jin Chang, ASSOC, MECH, PR
• Jennifer Fink, ASSOC, HEALADM, PR
• Jeffrey Hawkins, ASSOC, TEACH, PR
• John Heilmann, PROF, COMSDIS, PR
• Abigail Phillips, ASSOC, INFO, PR
• AkkeNeel Talsma, ASSOC, NURS, PR

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Division of Social Sciences Executive Committee

Divisional Executive Committees review tenure and promotion cases and other faculty personnel matters within their respective divisions.

Current Candidates

• Anne Bonds, PROF, GEOG, SS
• Steven Michael, PROF, BUSI, SS
• Timothy O’Brien, ASSOC, SOCI, SS

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Faculty Appeals and Grievances Committee (FAGC)

The Faculty Appeals and Grievances Committee (FAGC) hears appeals and serves as the grievance committee for cases not under the jurisdiction of other faculty committees. It retains jurisdiction during reconsideration processes, as outlined in UWS 3.08 and 6.02 of the Wis. Admin. Code.

Current Candidates

• Ryoichi Amano, PROF, MECH, NS
• Zachary Durlam, ASSOC, MUSI, AH
• Jeffrey Hawkins, ASSOC, TEACH, PR
• Iris Xie, PROF, INFO, PR

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Faculty Ethics Advisory Committee (FEAC)

The Faculty Ethics Advisory Committee (FEAC) recommends policies and procedures to implement the Code of Ethics (UWS 8) and provides confidential consultation and advice to faculty on its application. It issues an annual public report summarizing its guidance without disclosing individual identities.

Current Candidates

• Elana Levine, PROF, ENGL, AH
• Wilkistar Otieno, ASSOC, INDU, PR

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Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee (FRRC)

The Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee (FRRC) upon referral by the University Committee, pursuant to the provisions of s. UWS 6.01, Wis. Adm. Code, conducts fact-finding concerning allegations of misconduct, which may include alleged human rights violations, made against one or more faculty members or against a faculty body and makes recommendations to the Chancellor concerning disciplinary action or appropriate corrective non-disciplinary action.

Current Candidates

• Alison Donnelly, PROF, GEOG, NS
• Kaan Kuzu, ASSOC, BUSI, PR
• Steven Michael, PROF, BUSI, SS
• Priya Nambisan, ASSOC, HEALADM, PR
• Gabriel Rei-Doval, ASSOC, LING, SS
• Alex Yi, PROF, EECS, NS

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Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate represents the University Faculty, and consists of forty (40) elected members and the University Committee. The Senate meets on the third Thursday of every month at 2:30 p.m. during the academic year.

Current Candidates

Arts & Humanities

• Viktorija Bilic, ASSOC, TRNSLTN, AH
• Nicholas Fleisher, ASSOC, LING, AH
• Lawrence Kuiper, ASSOC, WLC, AH
• Wes Larsen, ASST, ART, AH
• Amy Olen, ASSOC, TRNSLTN, AH
• Jason Orlenko, ASST, THEA, AH
• Hamid Ouali, PROF, LING, AH
• Aragorn Quinn, ASSOC, WLC, AH

Natural Sciences

• Sonia Bardy, ASSOC, BIOL, NS
• John Berges, PROF, BIOL, NS
• Barry Cameron, ASSOC, GEOS, NS
• Roshan D’Souza, ASSOC, MECH, NS
• Gerlinde Hoebel, ASSOC, BIOL, NS
• Emily Latch, PROF, BIOL, NS
• William Musinski, ASST, MECH, NS
• Rafael Rodriguez, PROF, BIOL, NS

Professions

• Mahsa Dabagh, ASSOC, BIOMED ENGR, PR
• Aaron Mandell, ASSOC, BUSI, PR
• Hyunkyoung Oh, ASSOC, NURS, PR
• Priyatha Premnath, ASST, BIOMED ENGR, PR
• Yin Wang, ASSOC, CIVI, PR

Social Sciences

• Cary Costello, ASSOC, SOCI, SS
• Katherine Du, ASST, BUSI, SS
• Timothy O’Brien, ASSOC, SOCI, SS
• Kristin Sziarto, ASSOC, GEOG, SS

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Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC)

The Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC) reviews and approves proposals for new courses and programs, and for changes to existing courses and programs. It also oversees the multidisciplinary PhD and recommends general policy changes related to courses and curriculum to the Graduate Faculty Committee.

Current Candidates

• John Boyland, PROF, EECS, NS
• Woonsup Choi, PROF, GEOG, SS
• William Musinski, ASST, MECH, NS
• Alyssa Sheeran, ASST, CRIM, PR

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Graduate Faculty Committee (GFC)

The Graduate Faculty Committee (GFC) is UWM’s main policy making body for graduate education. As such it oversees academic and administrative matters across graduate programs and acts as an advocate for graduate students and graduate programs within the University. The GFC meets at least once a month during the academic year, and on request of the Dean of the Graduate School or of five Graduate Faculty Committee members.

Current Candidates

• Alexander Arnold, PROF, CHEM, NS
• John Berges, PROF, BIOL, NS
• Elana Levine, PROF, ENGL, AH
• Xiaoli Ma, ASSOC, CIVI, PR
• Maria Novotny, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Priyatha Premnath, ASST, BIOMED ENGR, PR
• Aaron Schutz, PROF, EDPOL, PR
• Yin Wang, ASSOC, CIVI, PR

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Graduate Program Review Committee (GPRC)

The Graduate Program Review Committee (GPRC) reviews existing graduate programs and makes recommendations to programs via a report submitted to the provost, the dean of the Graduate School, and the relevant school or college.

Current Candidates

• Stefania Palmyra Geraki, ASST, ARCH, PR
• Jennifer Haas, ASST, ANTH, SS
• Gerlinde Hoebel, ASSOC, BIOL, NS
• Kaan Kuzu, ASSOC, BUSI, PR
• Xiaoli Ma, ASSOC, CIVI, PR
• Priya Nambisan, ASSOC, HEALADM, PR
• Junjie Niu, PROF, MATE, NS
• Maria Novotny, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Hyunkyoung Oh, ASSOC, NURS, PR
• Amy Olen, ASSOC, TRNSLTN, AH
• Alyssa Sheeran, ASST, CRIM, PR
• Aaron Tobey, ASST, ARCH, PR
• Delia Valentine, ASST, BUSI, PR

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Graduate Student Fellowships Committee (GSFC)

The Graduate Student Fellowships Committee (GSFC) determines and manages the application and selection process for graduate students applying for internal fellowships such as the Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship and the Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship. The committee also recommends general policy changes related to fellowships to the Graduate Faculty Committee.

Current Candidates

• Gilberto Blasini Caceres, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Sabine Heuer, ASSOC, COMSDIS, PR
• Ahmad Hosseinizadeh, ASST, PHYS, NS
• Michael Laiosa, ASSOC, PUBHLTH, NS
• Xiaoli Ma, ASSOC, CIVI, PR
• Victoria McCoy, ASSOC, GEOS, NS
• Michael Mirer, ASST, COMM, SS
• Maria Novotny, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Hanyong Park, ASSOC, LING, SS

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Honorary Degrees Committee

The Honorary Degrees Committee considers and recommends candidates for honorary degrees, the Ernest Spaights Plaza marker, and citations for distinguished service. It coordinates campus-wide nomination processes and presents its recommendations in accordance with Faculty Senate procedures.

Current Candidates

• Susana Antunes, ASSOC, SPAN, AH
• Anne Bonds, PROF, GEOG, SS
• Christy Greenleaf, PROF, KINES, PR
• Kimberly Hassell, ASSOC, CRIM, PR
• Ahmad Hosseinizadeh, ASST, PHYS, NS
• Rebecca Shumway, ASSOC, HIST, AH

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Information Technology Policy Committee (ITPC)

The Information Technology Policy Committee (ITPC) advises the Faculty and UWM Administration on information technology policy, coordination of IT services, and the planning and implementation of IT-related decisions.

Current Candidates

Arts & Humanities

• Katharine Beutner, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Sara VanderHaagen, ASSOC, COMM, AH

Social Sciences

• Cary Costello, ASSOC, SOCI, SS
• James Price, ASST, FWSCI, SS

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International Committee (IC)

The International Committee (IC) represents the interests and authority of UWM faculty, staff, and students in fostering campus internationalization through establishment of policy to guide the development and implementation of central international education functions, such as international institutional academic and research partnerships and education abroad programs.

Current Candidates

• Chibuzor Abasilim, ASST, PUBHLTH, PR
• Tailan Chi, PROF, BUSI, SS
• Woonsup Choi, PROF, GEOG, SS
• Jun Kim, ASSOC, MUSI, AH
• Vivian Lei, ASSOC, ECON, SS
• Jin Li, PROF, CIVI, PR
• Rebecca Neumann, PROF, ECON, SS
• Deyang Qu, PROF, MECH, NS
• Gabriel Rei-Doval, ASSOC, LING, AH
• Tami Williams, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Alex Yi, PROF, EECS, NS

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Libraries Committee

The Libraries Committee represents the interest and authority of the university faculty in archives and library affairs and in the establishment of policy.

Current Candidates

• Joel Benjamin, ASST, FILM, AH
• Jennifer Jordan, PROF, SOCI, SS
• Wan-Chen Lee, ASST, INFO, PR
• Shama Mirza, PROF, CHEM, NS
• Sarah Schaefer, ASSOC, ARTHIST, AH
• Jeffrey Sommers, PROF, AFRI, SS
• Filip Vesely, ASSOC, ECON, SS
• Linda Wesp, ASST, NURS, PR

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Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee nominates candidates for all positions to be filled by faculty election. It advises the Chancellor on appointive faculty positions and on such other faculty appointive positions as the Chancellor may request.

Current Candidates

• Kimberly Hassell, ASSOC, CRIM, PR
• Jun Kim, ASSOC, MUSI, AH
• Demetrius Williams, PROF, WLC, AH
• Iris Xie, PROF, INFO, PR

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Physical Environment Committee (PEC)

The Physical Environment Committee (PEC) makes recommendations for the development of the physical environment of the campus consistent with the mission and with the present and future academic programs of the University.

Current Candidates

• Katharine Beutner, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Stefania Palmyra Geraki, ASST, ARCH, PR
• Valerie Laken, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Aragorn Quinn, ASSOC, WLC, AH
• Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece, ASSOC, ENGL, AH
• Aaron Tobey, ASST, ARCH, PR

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Research Policy and Advisory Committee (RPAC)

The Research Policy and Advisory Committee (RPAC) advises University leadership on research and graduate education policy, procedures, and infrastructure. It recommends resource allocation, reviews research units for effectiveness and alignment with UWM’s mission, and oversees policy related to mandated review boards.

Current Candidates

• Philip Chang, PROF, PHYS, NS
• Qingsu Cheng, ASST, BIOMED ENGR, NS
• Ioannis Floros, ASSOC, BUSI, SS
• Emily Latch, PROF, BIOL, NS
• AkkeNeel Talsma, ASSOC, NURS, PR
• Lynne Woehrle, ASSOC, NURS, PR
• Shangping Xu, ASSOC, GEOS, NS

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University Committee (UC)

The University Committee (UC) serves as the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, acting on Faculty matters when the Senate is not in session. It advises on educational policy, governance, budget, pay plans, and administrative appointments, and prepares agendas in consultation with the Rules Committee. The committee also receives and refers Faculty grievances and reports regularly to the Faculty Senate.

Current Candidates

Please note: The UC election consists of a Primary Election and a Final Election. The Primary Election includes twice the number of candidates as the number of positions to be filled.

• Miren Boehm, PROF, PHIL, AH
• Colleen Boland, ASSOC, BUSI, PR
• Philip Chang, PROF, PHYS, NS
• Ben Church, ASSOC, MATE, PR
• Steve Decker, ASSOC, THEA, AH
• Nicholas Fleisher, ASSOC, LING, AH
• Ioannis Floros, ASSOC, BUSI, SS
• Kimberly Hassell, ASSOC, CRIM, PR
• Lawrence Kuiper, ASSOC, WLC, AH
• Lindsay McHenry, PROF, GEOS, NS
• Kristen Murphy, PROF, CHEM, NS
• Priya Nambisan, ASSOC, HEALADM, PR
• Deyang Qu, PROF, MECH, NS
• Gillian Rodger, PROF, MUSI, AH
• Danielle Romain Dagenhardt, ASSOC, CRIM, PR
• Alex Yi, PROF, EECS, NS

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University Relations Committee (URC)

The University Relations Committee (URC) advises the administration on policy matters relating to University Relations including public events, development, public information, alumni relations, government relations, and related areas of community relations.

Current Candidates

• Qingsu Cheng, ASST, BIOMED ENGR, NS
• Tian Zhao, ASSOC, EECS, NS